I woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air. Pushing aside my blanket, I got up from the bed and drew the curtains open and saw a few police cars parked right in front of an alleyway beside the liquor store in front of our coffeehouse.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U6N2gyKDb
I wore a bathrobe around me and went downstairs to the customer's area, where I found Aunt Inara and Chaeyeong sitting beside the shop window, staring outside. "Did someone die?" I asked, sitting next to them.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9VC681ehS
Chaeyeong bobbed her head. "Yup," she sipped her cup of coffee. "This time, it's Farmer Joe."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGiASMW6hd
"Oh, that poor old man," I sympathized. "He was such a kindred spirit."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bxfolrkr3
Aunt Inara sighed. "I know, Bugsy. It's always the good ones that die first."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmZtQFhoeq
As we glanced at the detectives examining the dead body behind the yellow tape, Carter approached us, holding his Teddy bear. "Hey Bugsy," he said, climbing on my lap. "Can we do something fun today?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ689AE4s96c
My hand's steeple as my pupils moved upwards, wondering what kind of fun stuff can I do with my little brother. "We can go to the beach today," I suggested. "How about that?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABybGyPFWp
"The beach is boring," he commented, shaking his head. "I want to go somewhere fun."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05BePQqUQj
"Fun, eh?" I scratched the back of my head. "Well, how about the lake? It sounds like fun."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z109QbPhU
Carter nodded, gleaming. "I want to go to the lake, can we, can we, Bugsy?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ji7ExIl5u
"Of course we can," I got up, lifting him with both arms. "Now let's get Em and your swimsuit ready."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGH5jizHYp
Walking out of the Little Owl Coffeehouse, I held both Em's and Carter's hand as we strolled along the tar road, filled with the usual crowd. I stumbled upon one of my classmates, Archie, skateboarding on the road. As he glanced at me, he gave me a Vulcan salute.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv4d0LhaYl
"Hey Bugsy," he greeted, in a warm tone. "Where you off too?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVqdzBSohI
"To the lake," I answered, taking a glimpse on his skateboard. "Are you here alone?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeHYjCijey
He wiggled his head. "Nah, I'm with Raj and Amra."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Au3Ag00Al
"Hi Bugsy," waved Amra. "I see you're going for a swim, yeah?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA0QT9X9wp
"Nope, I'll be drowning to death."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7kemthWPI
Em, let out a high-pitched whistle, to my annoyance. "Oh, you just got burned in the butt."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtySFEvQ6T5
I slapped her arms and glared in a menacing way. "You watch your mouth, you prick."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinN1idW9Gi
Archie tried to hold his laughter and shook his head, before giving me a wink. "Have fun."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0EBHzdDs2
I chuckled and continued our journey into the woods. The ground was dry as the sand as I noticed some leaves on the ground were dying of thirst. Carter looked up and saw a hummingbird hovering near the lilac, sipping the cool with its straw-like beak.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFgWETyXYm
Giggling, he broke free from my grasp and began to chase the hummingbird, who was then joined by Em. Those two. Reminds me of the time when I was around their age. Chasing butterflies on the grassy field, hoping to catch them with my tiny hands. Such simpler times. If only I could relive the good old days again and again.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiti6b2pWj
As soon as we arrived at the crystal, clear lake, Em and Carter held each other's hands and jumped into the water, splashing around. I dropped my denim shorts and my white T-shirt, revealing a black swimsuit underneath. I took a step into the freshwater and held my breath, sinking myself underneath.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00pn4EdMKu
Looking at the collections of rocks underwater, I was welcomed by a school of small guppies swimming around me in circles. Gliding like a mermaid, I explored the depth of the reservoir for treasures I could bring back. Picking up a couple of rocks with my hands, I tossed them aside and uncovered a shard of a beer bottle, before putting it back where it belongs. Sheesh, who threw this in the lake? Someone could get hurt just by stepping on them.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoGM3bDM07
As I continued to wade around, I noticed something shiny illuminating my eyes. I paddled my feet towards the object in a flash and picked it up, only to find another piece of a beer bottle. I popped my head out of the water and sneered. Seriously, who the hell would throw a beer bottle into the lake? So selfish and inconsiderate.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH8P7ZWSZN
I looked over my shoulder and watched my two younger siblings squirting water at each other, laughing at each other. I snickered and swam in their direction quietly, hoping that they won't notice me. Em and Carter continued to play around with each other when I pulled my sister's leg, dragging her underwater.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ94Vhk8R77
I burst into laughter as she popped up on the surface, her face flushed. "I'll get you for this, Bugsy," she raged, as she jumped on my back and hit my head with both her fists. I twirled around in a vigorous manner, making her fall.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5qGBCKHxI
Baring her teeth, she pushed me with both hands, only for me to deflect her blows with my mighty strength. "Let's face the fact, Em," I placed both hands on my waist. "You know I'll always win."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMItB3XAGIJ
I blew a raspberry at her as she splashed at my face, pouting. I offered my hand and helped her stand up, only for my sister to spill freshwater on my face. "Got you," she smirked. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and crossed my arms, trying to hold my emotions intact. As she tried to swim away, Carter and I started to chase her as fast as we could.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYE6fNgymq
Carter managed to get a hold of her while I felt my arms and legs began to ache, slowing me down. My breathing heightened as my heart was beating more rapidly than usual, and my lips and throat feeling a little dry. I crawled out of the lake and lied on my back, my eyes squinted at the rays of sunlight.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQH9vNgbWt
My head turned to my sister, who was wiping herself with her green towel. "Hey Em," I croaked. "Could you toss my towel to me?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxHiwVAmcX
My sister's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she grabbed my navy blue towel and covered my face with it, trying to hold back her laughter. "Don't tan yourself, Bugsy," Em's voice shook. "Or you'll look like a raw chicken."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRIisOjj22
"Shut up, Emma," I grunted, taking off the towel from my face. "At least I'm not as dumb as you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ031W3d17Dd
Em stared at me with a blank face. "Whatever," she spat. "At least I'm not dull and boring as you. I mean, what did Ferdinand even see in you anyways?" 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmujl9v4KVG
My eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGwYC2dYgs
"I'm talking about how did a party pooper like you would end up with a cheerful and bubbly guy like Ferdinand?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1YHoLQ6zW
I gave her a light punch on her shoulder. "Whatever, Em. We're not even together."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7BYakN4IS
"Well, I bet 20 dollars that you two will get married and have cute babies together."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y2qfHRodJ
I wiped Carter's hair with his pastel pink colour as Em kept on rambling garbage out of her mouth, which figuratively hurts my ear. Then, I heard a rustling coming from the bushes, prompting me to cover Em's mouth.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzY6qrcQFA
"Shh....someone's coming."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBUOA1frvC
My worst fear came true when Jimmy, who is also known as James Larthow, who goes by the nickname the Ripper, appeared, waving at the three of us. "Hey Maria," Jimmy beamed. "I see you and your brother and sister went for a swim."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1ozws9fNv
"Who's Maria?" asked Em. 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HP5iFWPPP
I shushed her and gave her a death glare as he slowly approached us, making me bite my lip. "Hey Jimmy," I chuckled, attempting to hide my nervous tone. "I see you're here to collect water."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBhtEoEIEf
"You know me well, little missy," he scratched the back of his neck. "Water and electricity haven't arrived at my house yet. Strange, huh?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9AEKn6Isp
"Yeah, I guess so."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVrQxs23VO
"So who are these two?" he pointed at Em and Carter.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZKXFcyIdl
"They're my brother and sister, obviously," I scoffed. "I mean, you did guess it earlier."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERaMeHjAG0
"Touché. Just out of curiosity, but are you guys mixed-race?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gUvhVB9kJ
I bobbed my head. "Yeah, we are. Mom's German while my dad's Chinese."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD9lYit9y2
"Cool. You know, Maria, I happen to have a little sister just like you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcIZyQQKaq
"Really?" my eyes widened.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCxSwIkxmv
"Of course," he began to sit near the lake, admiring the calm waters. "She was the only friend I ever had."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVWPO548lY
I sat beside him, hugging my knees. "What happened to her?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XBCFlpJPe
"She drowned in the river one fine day. I was never the same after that."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7ptdJ0uue
"What about your parents?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqMwLkRSck
"Mama was kind and beautiful as a peach," he rested his hands on his cheeks. "Papa, however, was a drunkard. Cheats on Mama regularly with some redhead. Whenever he's in a bad mood, Mama and I are usually his punching bags."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBfbAixPR7
I pressed my lips and exhaled. "Where does he hit you?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f2XvNQ5Mp
With his fingers, he pointed at his forehead, then his shoulders, and lastly, his stomach. I closed my eyes and imagined the excruciating pain Jimmy and his mother had to endure at the hands of his father's wrath. 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwFA4vQtXC
"One time, Papa hit me so hard that I ended up peeing in my pants right in front of him," he bellowed. "He just slapped me for ruining his carpet."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP68Iu2HamR
"What kind of monster would do such a thing to an innocent child?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdGctZEY0Q
"The worst part is, Maria, no one stepped in. Not even the goddamn police or priest would dare speak out against his father," he wept. "They just told me to have faith in the Lord instead."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabeKH7Xe98
He broke down in tears and covered his face, avoiding eye contact with me. "I hate the Lord," he shouted. "I hate Him. He took away Jenny and Mama. He made my life nothing but pain and suffering."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5szkM1NlLg
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as I stared at the picturesque scenery, hearing him whimper. "I get angry at the Lord sometimes," I confessed. "He was loving, but he killed Jessie right in front of my eyes. He was merciful, but he took two of my toes away. Because of Him, I became a laughing stock in school. I want to hate Him but I'm always reminded to count my blessings each day. Goodness me. Why can't something good happen to me once in a while?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLTT0JYwzQ
Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, he stood up and grabbed a pail beside him, filling up with water. "I should get going," Jimmy cleared his throat. "I might get heatstroke if I stay a little longer."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WO2IEkMe3
I nodded and was about to call Em and Carter when Jimmy placed his hand on my shoulder. "Be careful out there, little missy," he advised. "The world's not safe for a girl like you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWiAbQGNRE
"You too, sir," I shook hands with him and grabbed my siblings, leaving with haste. We headed into the forest, not looking back at him. Carter and Em were silent during the whole trip, giving me a cold shoulder. Huh, I wonder what's on her mind. Does she recognize the serial killer? Is she mad at me for not telling the police about my encounter with him?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCvntnscTZ
As we took a step into civilization. Em finally broke her silence. "Who was that guy?" she raised her questioned, making me sigh in relief.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eAZVV4g0K
"He's just some farmer," I lied, crossing my fingers behind my back. "His name is Jimmy."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaznGE3HPZ
"He looks pretty familiar," she pointed out. "I think I saw him somewhere on a poster before."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW3YBOCWR6
"It's normal for someone to look familiar, Em," I argued. "I mean, have you seen the similarities between Aunt Inara and Grandma in her younger days?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFadZMb8LUZ
Em acknowledged my answer when Carter raised his index finger and spoke up. "He seems creepy. You should avoid him, sis."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJHkDAOIB4
"Don't worry about me, little brother," I stroked his straw-coloured hair. "This will be the last time I see him, anyway."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uiDf7cAZ1
